Two bees or not two bees


So there I was one day, in the middle of a flower
And all of a sudden there came this great big shower!
The rain poured down and I was trapped in the plant.
The water was rising fast; I thought this is it man!


Yet from out of nowhere, there shined a single ray of sunlight.
The sky was dark, the water all around, but the yellow filled my sight.
She said hold on tight!  I will get you out of there!
I said I can’t fly up; I have got too much water in my hair
And my wings are all wet through!
I couldn’t flap them even if I tried to!
She said stop all your flapping and grab this leaf you fool;
Then she pushed down a loose leaf to help me.
It was shaped like a boat, so I tried to climb to safety;
But as I grabbed at the leaf, the side fell down with my hands.
I tried to climb onto the leaf,
But the rain had made it too slippery, man
And I slid back down, with a great big splash!
My bumble was underwater and then I heard her laugh!


As I looked up, she majestically leapt through the air!
She landed on the leaf like a ballerina with perfect balance
And I saw her face up close for the first time
And the movement of her hair.
With a flick of the wrist, she pushed her fringe out of the way
And said give me your hand and let’s get out of this rain!
With a struggle or two, I eventually climbed onto the leaf
And she laughed again as I blew the water out of my cheeks.


As we lay there for a few seconds staring up at the sky,
We were dodging head bound raindrops,
As the leaf continued to rise.
Soon the plant stem was full with all the rain water
And the leaf had risen to the top.
I could see the clearing once more; she said follow me!
Then she grabbed my hand and we slid down the stem of the flower
And still the rain, it dropped.
We quickly found refuge beneath a huge green leaf.
There was a waterfall pouring from its point,
But at last we could rest and so we began to speak.


After exchanging names and a bit of small talk,
I found out where she was from
And as the rain began to stop,
We decided we would take a walk.


We met some interesting folk, like the dung beetle with the smile;
He seemed to love the rain.
“Ah, ya can’t deny, it helps me pile.”
It’s a ***** job but somebody’s got to do it
And he seemed to enjoy collecting all his things.


As we approached her hive, I said well, I guess this is goodbye.
It’s been a pleasure my friend, was her reply.
Oh don’t mention it; it might bee nicer in better weather.
If you ever need someone to save again,
I hope to see you there for me once more,
When it begins to rain.
She said it’s a date!


As I began to walk away, she said:
Would you like to come in and see what we have done with the hive?
I think you would get on really well with my mates
And it’s too soon to say goodbye.
So I said sure, that sounds like a lot of fun
And the rest of the story has not been written yet,
But my heart it has truly been stung, by the arrow of love;
She had ignited my jets.


(C)2017 Aa Harvey. All Rights Reserved.

Bee-Real


As I flew up, into the air,
I looked back one last time at the hive.
All the bees were standing there.
Some were happy and proud to see me go; some were still crying.
As they held handkerchiefs up against their noses,
I saw the twinkle in their eyes, was the sunshine reflecting;
They truly did pull at my heart strings.


But this was no time to bee questioning my decision.
There is a whole world out there!
And I don’t know what I could bee missing!
So onward good friend, up, up and away!
My radio-wave-head thinks today is going to bee a glorious day!


As the hive became smaller, as it grew further into the distance,
I regained my focus; let the adventure commence!
So forwards I flew, over places I have known.
There were still faces I recognized below
And there were still places I wished I could go;
But there was no time, because time flies!
And so did I; further into the sky.


I could see the ant hill, swarming with an army of friends.
The days of war between our people were over
And I hope they will never return again.
A couple of ants flew up to have a chat and say goodbye.
They told me I was the talk of the town
And wished me luck, but they had to fly.


So off they went, back down to reality;
I was still gliding along on a possibility.
What could bee out there?
What will I see?
I couldn’t believe I was finally fulfilling my dream.


For so long now I had been thinking about going someday,
While all the other workers were out drinking
And only interested in pay.
I saw a better future, where the amount you owned did not matter,
Because there was enough for everybody and endless laughter.
All quarrels were temporary, no lasting family feuds.
I still dream of a time, when I fly home to you;
But now I can see the border approaching.
This is it!  It is finally happening!
So close to freedom, so full of fear,
But I am an aeronautical engineer and a space pioneer.
The past is behind me and it will still bee there when I return;
Today is a present, the future calls me,
Time to let my engines burn!


Faster and faster, I fly only forward!
No looking back now, as I travel through the air waves.
I have never been so excited!
I had never imagined there could bee a way,
To smash through the sound barrier!
I broke the speed of light!
I have passed through the boundaries of what was my old life
And now I am becoming a stand-alone bee!!!!...


Hello chum.
I quickly turned around to see.
What are you doing here!? I said in amazement.
Didn’t think I’d let you do this all by yourself did you?
You know you’ve always been my favourite, but you ain’t the bravest.


We’ve been friends since you were a nipper
And your girlfriend sent me along to keep you safe; ok skipper?
So, where are we heading?  Anywhere nice?
What girlfriend!?  What are you talking about!?
This is my journey!  My life!
I travel alone, as one bee leaving home!
Not a bee and his mate,
Having a look around and then gone when it gets late.


I don’t know about that buddy, I just do as I’m told.
Well I’m telling you, go!  Leave me alone!
This is my adventure, I cannot worry about you.
There really is no need for you to come along too.
Oh it’s not a problem pal; I ain’t got nothing better to do
And it looks like a laugh, doesn’t it.
So; what you up to?
Oh bother!…Humble said with a shake of his head.
Did you not listen to a word I have said?
Go home, I don’t need protection; I’m a unique bee!
And with that I flew into a hole in a tree…


As I came back out with a nonchalant attitude,
He simply said you should watch out for those little dude.
Look where you’re going and that;
They sneak up on you, them holes in trees.
Never see ‘em until you crash into ‘em; know what I mean?
I just wanted to check I hadn’t left anything that could go rotten!
And that there was nothing in there that I had forgotten.
It’s my tree of things, you know, in case I, er, ever need anything.
Of course it is flower-power…can’t have enough trees.


And so, with that, my solo flight became a tandem.
He flew alongside me for a while,
But eventually I managed to ditch him.
There was a scout one day; we met him by a stream.
He told us the wife had given orders,
For Bee-Real to return to his Queen.


(C)2017 Aa Harvey. All Rights Reserved.

From the beeginning


A heart beats…
A heart beats again…
A heart beats…and then another.
A heart beats…
And then another
And then another
And then another,
Until the rhythm of the hearts sounds like thunder!
Welcome to life inside the cocoon…


Eyes open.  Eyes close.
Eyes open again…a blink as a brain begins to think…
Something is happening…a heart beats, in tune.


A claw drags itself along a wall and the thread begins to break.
Another claw drags along the same wall, searching for a way to escape.
A hole is pierced in a silk weaved shell.
The air blows in as the senses dwell,
Upon this feeling; inhaling, exhaling…breathing.


A heart beats…a claw is seen waving,
Through a tear in the sealed, protective pod.
The hole grows from fingers and toes, moving faster now.
Somebody is home…the outside noise it calls…a sound so odd.
The casing rolls and legs kick the air…this creature has a soul.
A fist bursts through the surface of the shelter, forming another hole.
A hand reaches out from inside to take a hold.
Another fist; another hand, a larvae is emerging
And soon the outer seal that binds,
All the trapped thoughts of a hive mind,
Are broken free and born with a lasting memory.
Knowledge gained through ancestral experiences;
The creature is still learning…
The cage is broken but never the bond.
The Queen Bee watches all her children,
As they emerge from their growing beds
And she sits there listening to ‘The Greeting Bees’ sing their songs.


The egg rolls once more onto its side.
The embryo is now no longer trapped inside.
It pushes open the wall to create a door to the world…
There appears a furry ball with a spike on its tail.
The story of creation is that nature prevails.


As the furry ball elongates to take its true shape,
A head appears from beneath a body.  The creature is now awake.
As open eyes look for the future, straight ahead,
The story repeats, again and again and again.


Another broken outer layer;
Everywhere the open eyes look, another bee is soon becoming.
Some bees have broken out at the first chance,
Others developed later, but they are all quietly humming.


And at the end, when all the embryos were released,
The remained but a single sleeping bee…


The impatience grew, but still they were made to wait…
A heart was beating, the bee was moving,
But still it did not try to escape…
Some other new bees began to crawl away.
Older bees had gathered to see and they were left truly amazed.
The time had come, the hatchling’s were born,
The hard work was done…
For all, except one.


So still the elders waited…


The bees that were free soon found the honey
And with time they gained their strength and ate.
As the sunlight turned into moonlight,
There remained a solitary bee who did things his own way.
He had decided to remain, saved in storage;
He was still building his courage.
All the courage he could ever need…
All that he could ever bee…


When all the other onlookers had given up waiting,
The Queen Bee sat and watched patiently…
And then at last a head pushed through the case.
It saw a face.
The Queen Bee was waving elegantly.


As the bee rolled out of its bed,
It lowered its head to The Queen Bee of the Bumbles.
She looked into his eyes and said…

“I think I will name you Humble…”


(C)2017 Aa Harvey. All Rights Reserved.